Quick make switch with neutral position



June 29, 1967- L. w. B EMENT ETAL 3,327,073

QUICK MAKE SWITCH WITH NEUTRAL POSITION Filed Sept. 16, 1965 2Sheets-5heet 1 INVENTORS LYLE W. BEMENT KARL F'. CUMMINGS ATTORNEY June2@, 1967 L. w. BEMENT ETAL 3,327,?3

QUICK MAKE SWITCH WITH NEUTRAL POSITION Filed Sept. 16, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet i? INVENTORS LYLE W. BE/VIENT KARL F CUMMINGS BY ATT RNEYUnited States Patent Ofifice 3,327,073 Patented June 20, 1967 3,327,073QUICK MAKE SWHTCH WHTH NEUTRAL PGSHTEUN Lyle W. Bemcnt and Karl F.(Iummings, Indianapolis,

Ind, assignors to P. R. Mallory at Co. Inc, Indianapolis, Ind., acorporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 487,862 12Claims. (Oi. 200-38) ABSTRACT OF THE DllSCLUSURE A snap switch includinga bracket means having spaced parallel legs and oppositely located seatsformed in the legs. A contact carrying follower means including meansinterfitting with the seats pivotally retain the contact follower means.Contact carrying arm means are integral with the contact carryingfollower means. An upwardly extending protruberance and a cam followermeans are formed on the contact carrying follower means. The camfollower means responds to the contours of a cam means so as to displacethe contact carrying follower means. Fixed contacts are adjacent thecontacts of the contact carrying arms. A helical overcenter spring iscompressively positioned between the bracket means and the protuberanceof the contact carrying follower means. The helical spring releasesstored energy when the contact follower means is pivotally displaced bythe cam means to further displace the contact follower means with a snapaction motion into engagement with one of the fixed contacts.

The present invention relates generally to an electromechanical means,and more particularly to a means and method for rapid switching ofelectrical circuits of the type commonly associated with a controltimer.

Although the present invention is adaptable for use in a multiplicity ofdevices, a particularly useful application of the means and method ofthe present invention is found in control timers of the general typeemployed to regulate cycle programs of electrical appliances such aswashing machines, dishwashers, dryers and the like. Generally, thesequential timers utilized to control the sequence of operations of thecooperatively associated electric appliance are of the type having aplurality of drum-shaped cams attached to a rotatably driven shaft. Thedrum-shaped cams have peripheral coded indicia, generally rise and fallcontours, on which one or more follower switches ride. The state ofactuation of any particular follower switch is determined by thecontours of the drum-shaped cam cooperatively associated with thefollower switch. Each follower switch effectively controls the state ofactuation of an electrical circuit associated therewith. Such electricalcircuits control the cycling of the electrical appliance.

The follower switches generally associated with a sequential timer areof the type that have a slow make time thereby increasing theprobability of arcing between the slow engaging cont-acts of the switch.Arcing causes erosion damage to he suffered by the switch contactsthereby having a deleterious effect on the operation of the switch. Thepresent invention contemplates the use of a novel snap switch used inconjunction with a single cam means having a plurality of radial groovescut therein. The snap switch affords fast make time so as to minimizethe arcing between the contacts and thereby reduce the deleteriousarcing effect on the contacts. The use of the novel snap switch alsoallows the use of radial cam tracks whose grooves need not be ascritical in contour as if one of several prior art follower switches wasutilized. It is seen that if a follower switch is utilized, theperipheral contours of the cam must be sufiicient to insure thatpositive make of a contact carrying blade with a fixed contact isafforded whereas if the novel snap switch of the present invention isutilized, an overcenter spring assembly of the snap switch need only tobe displaced from its initial position to an overcenter position whichwill cause the contact carrying blade to snap from its initial positionto a predetermined position with a rapid motion. It is seen that thesnap switch of the present invention permits the use of a cam trackhaving a less critical shape.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelsnap switch means used with a sequential timer that has rapid makecontact time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a snap switchmeans having two engaged position and a neutral position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel snapswitch means wherein the actuating force of the snap switch means isdirectly coupled to a contact carrying follower means of the snap switchmeans.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rotatableswitch actuating means of unitary construction, the actuating meansoperating a plurality of snap switch means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel sequentialtimer means that is characterized by its simplicity.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide arotatable switch actuating means having radial grooves cut therein, thegrooves coded so as to actuate a snap switch means to one of a pluralityof positions.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelsequential timer means having optimum reliability characteristicsafforded by compact construction having a minimum number of parts.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a snap switchmeans that is efficient, elfective and accurate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a snap switchmeans which can be readily fabricated and formed at low cost.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sequentialtimer usable in shallow depth locations.

The present invention, in another of its aspects, relates to the novelfeatures of the instrumentalities of the invention described herein forteaching the principal object of the invention and to the novelprinciples employed in the instrumentalities whether or not thesefeatures and principles may be used in the said object and/or in thesaid field.

With the aforementioned objects enumerated, other objects will beapparent to those persons possessing ordinary skill in the art. Otherobjects will appear in the following description, appended claims, andappended drawings. The invention resides in the novel construction,combination, arrangement, and cooperation of elements as hereinafterdescribed and more particularly as defined in the appended claims.

The appended drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present inventionconstructed to function in the most advantageous modes devised for thepractical application of the basic principals involved in thehereinafter described invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the sequential timer illustrating theseveral components thereof and the relative position of thesecomponents.

FIGURE 2 is a partial side view of the sequential timer showing thecooperative relation between the snap switch means and the radialgrooves of the rotatable switch actuating means.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the snap switch meansillustrating the various components thereof, and their relative positionon a mounting means.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken across the lines 4-4 ofFIGURE 3 showing the operation of the snap switch in full and dottedlines.

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the sequential timer with the snap switchmeans and the mounting means therefor removed illustrating the contoursof the radial grooves of the switch actuating means.

Generally speaking, the means and method of the present invention relateto a snap switch means. The snap switch means includes a mounting meansor bracket means having spaced parallel legs and oppositely locatedseats in the legs. A contact carrying follower means of the switchincludes means interfitting with the seats, the seats pivotallyretaining the contact carrying follower means. A plurality of contactcarrying arms are integral with and extend angularly from the axis ofthe contact carrying follower means. An upwardly extending protuberanceand a downwardly projecting follower means or needle-shaped followermeans are formed on the contact carrying follower means. Theneedle-shaped follower means responds to the contours of a switchactuating means or cam means so as to pivotally displace the contactcarrying follower means. Fixed contacts substantially underlay thecontact of the contact carrying arms. A helical overcenter spring iscompressively positioned between a node of the bracket means and theprotuberance of the contact carrying follower means. The helicalovercenter spring, the node, and the protuberance are axially alignedwhen the contact carrying follower arm is in a neutral position. Thehelical overcenter spring releases its stored energy when the followermeans is displaced by the cam means to further pivotally displace thecontact carrying follower means with a snap action motion intoengagement with one of the fixed contacts.

The snap switch means may be used as an important component of a novelsequential timer. The sequential timer may be utilized for actuating aplurality of electrical circuits. The timing device includes a drivemeans having a constant rotary motion output and an escapement meanscoupled to the output of the drive means. The escapement meanstranslates the constant rotary motion of the drive means to anintermittent rotary motion output. A cam carrying shaft is coupled tothe intermittent rotary motion output of the escapement means and isdriven thereby. A timing cam means having a plurality of concentricgrooves formed therein is carried by the shaft and is rotatabletherewith. A plurality of snap switch means are actuated by thedisplacement of the cam to thereby open and close electrical circuitscoupled to the snap switch means.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2, more specifically to FIGURE 2 ofthe drawings, the sequential timer means is generally indicated bynumeral 10. The timer includes a drive motor means 11 which ismechanically coupled to a pinion 12 so as to rotationally displace thepinion in a predetermined direction such as the counterclockwisedirection with a substantially continuous rotary motion. The drive motoris fixedly secured to a mounting plate 13 by a plurality of suitablemounting means such as bolts, rivets or the like. The mounting platesubstantially prevents deleterious horizontal and vertical displacementof the drive motor due to vibration, abusive handling or the like. Themounting means predeterminately locates the pinion with respect to adrive gear 14 of a knee action escapement means 15. The gear meshes withand is driven by the pinion in a clockwise direction with asubstantially constant rotary motion. The escapement means translatesthe substantially constant rotary motion output of the motor to anintermittent or step-by-step rotary motion output. The constructionaldetails of the drive means of the sequential timer have been held to buta minimum since these components are standard.

The intermittent motion of the escapement means is transferred to alarge reduction gear 16 fixedly retained on a cam carrying shaft 18. Itis seen that the intermittent motion of the escapement means istransferred to the cam carrying shaft through the large reduction gear.

Mounted in spaced, parallel relationship with the main mounting means 17is a plate 19. The plate 19 is retained in spaced, parallel relationshipby a plurality of retaining means such as bolts or the like.

The cam carrying shaft is journalled respectively by the plate 19 andthe main mounting means 17 to thereby axially retain the shaft yet allowthe cam carrying shaft to be rotationally displaced. As shown in FIGURE2, a unitary timing cam 20, fabricated from any suitable insulativematerial such as rigid plastic, is fixedly coupled to the cam carryingshaft between the main mounting means and the plate 19. The timing camincludes on the face underlying the plate 19 a plurality ofconcentrically disposed, radially spaced, continuous arcuate grooves 21.The number of concentric grooves will vary in accordance with the numberof operations desired to be furnished by the sequential timer.

As shown in FIGURE 5, each of the concentrically spaced grooves includessegments thereof that are displaced from the axis of the cam carryingshaft at varying distances. Each of the segments of any particulargroove is of a predetermined length, the segment length corresponding toa desired time interval. The segment of the groove provides the desiredactuation of a snap switch means 22 cooperatively associated with thegroove. The groove by way of its segments governs whether a particularelectrical circuit associated with the snap switch means is energized ordeenergized. FIGURES 2 and 5 v illustrate the use of four separate anddistinct grooves, however, it will be understood that the number ofgrooves shown is merely illustrative and not limiting in scope. Thenumber of grooves utilized is dependent only on the number of circuitsdesired to be actuated by the timing cam.

The snap switch means of the present invention is most clearly shown inFIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings. A mounting bracket means 23 of the snapswitch means is used as the main support means of the snap switch means.The mounting bracket is press fitted with apertured portions 24 and 24of I-shaped aperture 25 so as to substantially overlay the I-shapedaperture. The bracket includes notched portions 26 and 26 in spaced,parallel relationship that serve as a seat for the projections 27 and 27of the contact carrying follower means 33 of the snap switch means. Aswill be more fully disclosed herein later, the seats 26 and 26 arepoints about which projections 27 and 27 respectively pivot.

The contact carrying follower means includes a pair of oppositelyextending contact carrying arms 28 and 28 and a longitudinally extendingneedle-shaped follower means 29 that rides in a cooperatively associatedconcentric groove. It will be noted that the oppositely extendingcontact carrying arms are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thecontact carrying follower means. Extending longitudinally upwardly as anintegral Part of the contact carrying follower arm is protuberance 30.The protuberance provides a seat for the lower extremity of helicalovercenter spring 31. A node 32 of the bracket means 23 overlays theprotruberance in spaced relationship. The node 32 serves as an upperextremity seat for the helical spring. Thus, it is seen that theovercenter helical spring is compressively seated between the node 32and the protuberance 30 of the contact carrying follower means.

Underlaying the movable contact of the contact carryat ing arm 28 isfixed contact 34 and likewise underlaying the movable contact of thecontact carrying arm 28 is fixed contact 34. The fixed contacts 34 and34' are carried by a terminal means 35 and 35' respectively.

A snap switch means is illustrated in FIGURE 4 as being in the neutralposition. The neutral position as illustrated is the position whereinneither of the movable contacts engage with either of the cooperativelyassociated fixed contacts.

As the needle-shaped follower means of the contact follower means isdisplaced in the direction of arrow 36 as shown by the dotted lines ofFIGURE 4, the projections 27 and 27 slowly pivot in their respectivecooperatively associated notched portions 26 and 26. The protuberance isarcuately displaced in the counterclockwise direction slowly. Thearcuate displacement causes the helical overcenter spring to be slightlydisplaced. Continued arcuate displacement of the protuberance causes aslight decompression of the helical overcenter spring until thecompressive forces of the helical spring act at a predetermined anglewith respect to the longitudinal axis of the contact carrying followerarm. Ideally, a soon as the compressive forces of the spring act at anangle with respect to the axis of the contact carrying follower arm, theenergy stored by the helical spring will be released so as to displacethe extending contact carrying arm 28 in the counterclockwise direction.However, due to the existing frictional forces of the snap switch meansand the inertia of the displaceable components of the snap switch means,the contact carrying follower arm must be arcuately displaced in thecounterclockwise direction a small distance by the contour of thecooperatively associated timing cam prior to the sudden release of theenergy stored in the helical spring. The release of the energy stored bythe spring causes the extending contact carrying arm 28' to engage withthe fixed contact 34' with a snap action motion. Further arcuatedisplacement of the unitary timing cam 20 causes the needle-shapedfollower means to be displaced in the clockwise direction in accordancewith the contours of the grooves of the timing cam. The clockwisedisplacement of the contact carrying follower means through the integralneedle-shaped follower means causes the helical spring to be compressedbetween the protuberance and the node 32 of the bracket thereby storingenergy. The contact carrying follower means is displaced to the neutralposition as shown by the solid lines of FIGURE 4 or is displaced to thedotted line position of FIGURE 4 illustrating the cont-act carryin-g arm28 engaged with the fixed contact 23. The position of the contactcarrying arm depends directly on the contours of the groovecoopenatively associated with the needle-shaped follower means. It isseen that the described snap switch means differs from several of theprior art snap switch means in that the input force to the snap switchis through the contact carrying follower means to the helical springrather than through the spring to the contact carrying follower means.

With the hereinbefore structural disclosure in mind and by continuedreference to the several figures of the drawing, the following analysisof the operation of the present invention will further serve to amplifythe novelty of the present invention.

The operator of the timing device electrically couples the'drive motorto a source of electrical energy by actuating any suitable means such asa line switch means to the closed position. The drive means translatesthe electrical energy of the electrical source to a mechanical energyoutput at pinion 12. The pinion is mechanically coupled to the drivegear 14 and drives the gear with a substantially constant rotary motion.The drive gear is a component of the escapement means 15. The escapementmeans translates the constant rotary motion of the drive means to astep-by-step or intermittent rotary motion output. The intermittentrotary motion output of the escapement is transferred from theescapement means, more particularly the ratchet wheel of the escapement,to the cam carrying shaft. Thus, the cam carrying shaft is driven in anintermittent fashion.

As disclosed hereinbefore, at least one of the snap switch means ridesin each of the concentrically disposed, radially spaced, plurality ofgrooves. Each of the grooves is comprised of segments of varying radialdistance from the major axis of the timing cam. The individual snapswitch means include a needleshaped follower means that rides in thecooperatively associated groove of the unitary timing cam and followsthe contours thereof. The unitary cam timing means is advanced with anintermittent motion due to the interaction between the escapement meansand the cam carrying shaft. As the needle-shaped follower means followsthe contours of the groove in which it rides, the contact carryingfollower means is pivoted about the notched portions 26 of the bracketin accordance with the indicia of the grooves. The contours or indiciaof the cooperatively associated groove determine the position of thecontact carrying follower means, that is, engaged with one of the twoterminal contacts or in the neutral position. The helical overcenterspring will cause an extending contact carrying arm to engage with oneof the fixed terminals with a snap motion when the axis of the contactcarrying follower means is displaced from a line drawn through the axisof the helical overcenter spring is released thereby rapidly displacingthe contact spring. The stored compressive force of the overcentercarrying follower means into engagement with one of the fixed contactterminals.

It is seen from the aforementioned structure and its recited operation,that a minimum number of components are utilized while not diminishingthe capacity of the sequential timer.

While the invention is illustrated and described in an embodiment, itwill be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of this inventionand as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A snap switch means comprising: a bracket means including spacedparallel legs; oppositely located seats formed in said legs; a contactcarrying follower means including means interfitting with said seats forpivotally retaining said contact carrying follower means; a plurality ofcontact carrying arms integral with said contact carrying followermeans; an upwardly extending protuberance and a cam follower meansformed on said contact carrying follower means, said cam follower meansfor responding to contours of a cam means so as to displace said contactcarrying follower means; fixed contacts, adjacent said contacts of saidcon-tact carrying arms; and a helical overcenter spring compressivelypositioned between said bracket means and said protuberance of saidcontact carrying follower means, said helical overcenter spring and saidprotuberance axially aligned when said contact carrying follower arm isin a neutral position, said helical overcenter spring releasing saidstored energy when said contact follower means is displaced by said cammeans to further displace said contact follower means with a snap actionmotion into engagement with one of said fixed contacts.

2. A snap switch means comprising: a bracket means including spacedparallel legs; oppositely located seats formed in said legs; a contactcarrying follower means including means interfitting with said seats forpivotally retaining said contact carrying follower means; a plurality ofcontact carrying arms integral with and extending angularly from theaxis of said contact carrying follower means; an upwardly extendingprotuberance and a downwardly projecting needle-shaped follower meansformed on said contact carrying follower means, said needleshapedfollower means for responding to contours of a cam means so as todisplace said contact carrying follower means; fixed contacts adj accntsaid contacts of said contact carrying arms; and a helical overcenterspring compressively positioned between said bracket means and saidprotuberance of said contact carrying follower means, said helicalovercenter spring and said protuberance axially aligned when saidcontact carrying follower arm is in a neutral position, said helicalovercenter spring releasing said stored energy when said contactfollower means is displaced by said cam means to further displace saidcontact fol-lower means with a snap action motion into engagement withone of said fixed contacts.

3. A snap switch means comprising: a bracket means including spacedparallel legs; oppositely located seats formed in said legs; a contactcarrying follower means including means interfitting with said seats forpivotally retaining said contact carrying follower means; a plurality ofcontact carrying arms integral with and extending ang'ularly from theaxis of said contact carrying follower means; an upwardly extendingprotuberance and a downwardly projecting needle-shaped follower meansformed on said contact carrying follower means, said needleshapedfollower means for responding to contours of a cam means so as topivotally .displace said contact carrying follower means; fixed contactssubstantially underlaying said contacts of said contact carrying arms;and a helical overcenter spring compressively positioned between a nodeof said bracket means and said protuberance of said contact carryingfollower means, said helical overcenter spring, said node and saidprotuberance axially aligned when said contact carrying fol-lower arm isin a neutral position, said helical overcenter spring releasing saidstored energy when said contact follower means is displaced by said cammeans to further pivotally displace said contact follower means with asnap action motion into engagement with one of said fixed contacts.

4. A timing device for actuating a plurality of electrical circuitscomprising: a drive means having a constant rotary motion output; anescapement means coupled to said output of said drive means, saidescapement means for translating said constant rotary motion of saiddrive means to an intermittent rotary motion output; a cam carryingshaft coupled to said intermittent rotary motion output of saidescapement means; a timing cam means having a plurality ofconcentrically disposed radially spaced contoured grooves formedtherein, said carn carried by said cam shaft and rotatable therewith;and a plurality of snap switch means actuated by said displacement ofsaid cam to thereby open and close electrical circuits coupled to saidsnap switch means, said snap switch means including a bracket meanshaving spaced parallel legs, oppositely located seats formed in saidlegs, a contact carrying follower means including means interfittingwith said seats for pivotally retaining said contact carrying followermeans, a plurality of contact carrying arms integral with said contactcarrying follower means, an upwardly extending protuberance and a camfollower means formed on said contact carrying follower means, said camfollower means riding in and responding to said contoured grooves ofsaid cam as said cam is rotationally displaced so as to pivotallydisplace said contact carrying follower means, fixed contactssubstantially underlaying said contact of said contacts carrying arms,and a helical overcenter spring compressively positioned between saidbracket means and said protuberance of said contact carrying followermeans, said helical overcenter spring and said protuberance axiallyaligned when said contact carrying follower arm is in a neutralposition, said helical overcenter spring releasing said stored energywhen said contact follower means is displaced by said cam means tofurther pivotally displace said contact follower means with a snapaction motion into engagement with one of said fixed contacts.

5. A timing device for actuating a plurality of electrical circuitscomprising: a drive means having a constant rotary motion output; anescapement means coupled to said output of said drive means, saidescapement means for translating said constant rotary motion of saiddrive means to an intermittent rotary motion output; a cam carryingshaft coupled to said intermittent rotary motion output of saidescapement means; a timing cam means having a plurality ofconcentrically disposed radially spaced contoured grooves formedtherein, said cam carried by said cam shaft and rotatable therewith; anda plurality of snap switch means actuated by said displacement of saidcam to thereby open and close electrical circuits coupled to said snapswitch means, said snap switch means including'a bracket means havingspaced parallel legs, oppositely located seats formed in said legs, acontact carrying follower means including means interfitting with saidseats for pivotally retaining said contact carrying follower means, aplurality of contact carrying arms integral with and extending angularlyfrom the axis of said contact carrying follower means, an upwardlyextending protuberance and a downwardly projecting needle-shapedfollower means formed on said contact carrying follower means, saidneedle-shaped follower means riding in and responding to said contouredgrooves of said cam as said cam is rotationally displaced so as topivotally displace said contact carrying follower means, fixed contactsadjacent said contact of said contact carrying arm, and a helicalovercenter spring compressively positioned between said bracket meansand said protuberance of said contact carrying follower means, saidhelical overcenter spring and said protuberance axially aligned whensaid contact carrying follower arm is in a neutral position, saidhelical overcenter spring releasing said stored energy when said contactfollower means is displaced by said cam means to further pivotallydisplace said contact follower means with a snap action motion intoengagement with one of said fixed contacts.

6. A timing device for actuating a plurality of electrical circuitscomprising: a drive means having a constant rotary motion output; anescapement means coupled to said output of said drive means, saidescapement means for translating said constant rotary motion of saiddrive means to an intermittent rotary motion output; a cam carryingshaft coupled to said intermittent rotary motion output of saidescapement means; a timing cam means having a plurality ofconcentrically disposed radially spaced contoured grooves formedtherein, said cam carried by said cam shaft and rotatable therewith; anda plurality of snap switch means actuated by said displacement of saidcam to thereby open and close electrical circuits coupled to said snapswitch means, said snap switch means including a bracket means havingspaced parallel legs, oppositely located seats formed in said legs, acontact carrying follower means including means interfitting with saidseats for pivotally retaining said contact carrying follower means, aplurality of contact carrying arms integral with and extending angularlyfrom the axis of said contact carrying follower means, an upwardlyextending protuberance and a downwardly projecting needle-shapedfollower means formed on said contact carrying follower means, saidneedle-shaped follower means responding to said contoured grooves ofsaid cam as said cam is rotationally displaced so as to pivotallydisplace said contact carrying follower means, fixed contactssubstantially underlaying said contact of said contact carrying arm, anda helical overcenter spring compressively positioned between a node ofsaid bracket means and said protuberance of said contact carryingfollower means, said helical overcenter spring, said node, and saidprotuberance axially aligned when said contact carrying follower arm isin a neutral position, said helical overcenter spring releasing saidstored energy when said contact follower means is dis placed by said cammeans to further pivotally displace said contact follower means with asnap action motion into engagement with one of said fixed contacts.

7. A snap switch means comprising: a bracket means including spacedparallel legs; oppositely located notched seats formed in said legs; acontact carrying follower means including oppositely extendingprojections interfitting with said notched seats for pivotally retainingsaid contact carrying follower means; a plurality of contact carryingarms integral with and extending angularly from the axis of said contactcarrying follower means; an upwardly extending protuberance and adownwardly projecting needle-shaped follower means formed on saidcontact carrying follower means, said needle-shaped follower meansresponding to contours of a cam means so as to pivotally displace saidcontact carrying follower means; fixed contacts adjacent said contactsof said contact carrying arms; and a helical overcenter springcompressively positioned between a node of said bracket means and saidprotuberance of said contact carrying follower means, said helicalovercenter spring, said node and said protuberance axially aligned whensaid contact carrying follower arm is in a neutral position, saidhelical overcenter spring releasing said stored energy when said contactfollower means is displaced by said cam means to further pivotallydisplace said contact follower means with a snap action motion intoengagement with one of said fixed contacts.

8. A snap switch means comprising: a bracket means including spacedparallel legs; oppositely located notched seats formed in said legs; acontact carrying follower means including oppositely extendingprojections interfitting with said notched seats for pivotally retainingsaid contact carrying follower means; oppositely extending contactcarrying arms integral with and extending angularly from the axis ofsaid contact carrying follower means; an upwardly extending protuberanceand a downwardly projecting needle-shaped follower means formed on saidcontact carrying follower means, said needle-shaped follower meansresponding to contours of a cam means so as to pivotally displace saidcontact carrying follower means; fixed contacts substantiallyunderlaying said contacts of said contact carrying arms; and a helicalovercenter spring compressively positioned between a node of saidbracket means and said protuberance of said contact carrying followermeans to thereby seat said overcenter spring therebetween, said helicalovercenter spring, said node and said protuberance axially aligned whensaid contact carrying follower arm is in a neutral position, saidhelical overcenter spring releasing said stored energy when said contactfollower means is displaced by said cam means to further pivotallydisplace said contact follower means with a snap action motion intoengagement with one of said fixed contacts.

A snap switch means comprising: a bracket means including spacedparallel legs; oppositely located notched seats formed in said legs; acontact carrying follower means including oppositely extendingprojections interfitting with said notched seats for pivotally retainingsaid contact carrying follower means; oppositely extending contactcarrying arms integral with and extending substantially at a right anglewith the axis of said contact carrying follower means; an upwardlyextending protuberance and a downwardly projecting needle-shaped follower means formed on said contact carrying follower means, saidneedle-shaped follower means responding to contours of a cam means so asto pivotally displace said contact carrying follower means; fixedcontacts substantially underlaying said contacts of said contactcarrying arms; and a helical overcenter spring compressively locatedbetween a node of said bracket means positioned in line with saidfollower means and said protuberance of said contact carrying followermeans to thereby seat said overcenter spring therebetween, said helicalovercenter spring, said node and said protuberance axially aligned whensaid contact carrying follower arm is in a neutral position, saidhelical overcenter spring releasing said stored energy when said contactfollower means is displaced by said cam means to further pivotallydisplace said contact follower means with a snap action motion intoengagement with one of said fixed contacts.

10. A timing device for actuating a plurality of electrical circuitscomprising: a drive means having a constant rotary motion output; anescapement means coupled to said output of said drive means, saidescapement means for translating said constant rotary motion of saiddrive means to an intermittent rotary motion output; a cam carryingshaft coupled to said intermittent rotary motion output of saidescapement means; a timing cam means having a plurality ofconcentrically disposed radially spaced contoured grooves formedtherein, said cam carried by said cam shaft and rotatable therewith; aplurality of snap switch means actuated by said displacement of said camto thereby open and close electrical circuits coupled to said snapswitch means, said snap switch means including a bracket means havingspaced parallel legs, oppositely located notched seats formed in saidlegs, a contact carrying follower means including oppositely extendingprojections interfitting with said notched seats for pivotally retainingsaid contact carrying follower means, a plurality of contact carryingarms integral with and extending angularly from the axis of said contactcarrying follower means, an upwardly extending protuberance and adownwardly projecting needle-shaped follower means formed on saidcontact carrying follower means, said needleshaped follower means ridingin and responding to said contoured grooves of said cam as said cam isrotationally displaced so as to pivotally displace said contact carryingfollower means, fixed contacts adjacent said contact of said contactcarrying arm, and a helical overcenter spring compressively positionedbetween a node of said bracket means and said protuberance of saidcontact carrying follower means, said helical overcenter spring, saidnode and said protuberance axially aligned when said contact carryingfollower arm is in a neutral position, said helical overcenter springreleasing said stored energy when said contact follower means isdisplaced by said cam means to further pivotally displace said contactfollower means with a snap action motion into engagement with one ofsaid fixed contacts.

11. A timing device for actuating a plurality of electrical circuitscomprising: a drive means having a constant rotary motion output; anescapement means coupled to said output of said drive means, saidescapement means for translating said constant rotary motion of saiddrive means to an intermittent rotary motion output; a cam carryingshaft coupled to said intermittent rotary motion output of saidescapement means; a timing cam means having a plurality ofconcentrically disposed radially spaced contoured grooves formedtherein, said cam carried by said cam shaft and rotatable therewith; anda plurality of snap switch means actuated by said displacement of saidcam to thereby open and close electrical circuits coupled to said snapswitch means, said snap switch means including a bracket means havingspcaed parallel legs, oppositely located notched seats formed in saidlegs, a contact carrying follower means including oppositely extendingprojections interfitting with said notched seats for pivotally retainingsaid contact carrying follower means, oppositely extending contactcarrying arms integral with and extending angularly from the axis ofsaid contact carrying follower means, an upwardly extendingprotruberance and a downwardly projecting needle-shaped follower meansformed on said contact carrying follower means, said needle-shapedfollower means riding in and responding to said contoured grooves ofsaid cam as said cam is rotationally displaced so as to pivotallydisplace said contact carrying follower means, fixed contactssubstantially underlaying said contact of said contact carrying arm, anda helical overcenter spring compressively positioned between a node ofsaid bracket means and said protuberance of said contact carryingfollower means to thereby seat said overcenter spring therebetween, saidhelical overcenter spring, said node, and said protuberance axiallyaligned when said contact carrying follower arm is in a neutralposition, said helical overcenter spring releasing said stored energywhen said contact follower means is 1 1 displaced by said cam means tofurther pivotally displace said contact follower means with a snapaction motion into engagement with one of said fixed contacts.

12. A timing device for actuating a plurality of electrical circuitscomprising: a drive means having a constant rotary motion output; anescapement means coupled to said output of said drive means, saidescapement means for translating said constant rotary motion of saiddrive means to an intermittent rotary motion output; a cam carryingshaft coupled to said intermittent rotary motion output of saidescapement means; a timing cam means having a plurality ofconcentrically disposed radially spaced contoured grooves formedtherein, said cam carried by said cam shaft and rotatable therewith; anda plurality of snap switch means actuated by said displacement of saidcarn to thereby open and close electrical circuits coupled to said snapswitch means, said snap switch means including a bracket means havingspaced parallel legs, oppositely located notched seats formed in saidlegs, a contact carrying follower means including oppositely extendingprojections interfitting with said notched seats for pivotally retainingsaid contact carrying follower means, oppositely extending contactcarrying arms integral with and extending substantially at a right anglewith the axis of said contact carrying follower means, an upwardlyextending protuberance and a downwardly projecting needle-shapedfollower means formed on said contact carrying follower means, saidneedle-shaped follower means riding in and responding to saidcontouredgrooves of said cam as said cam is rotationally displaced so as topivotally displace said contact carrying follower means, fixed contactssubstantially underlaying said contact of said contact carrying arm, anda helical overcenter spring compressively located between a node of saidbracket means postioned in line with said follower means and saidprotuberance of said contact carrying follower means to thereby seatsaid overcenter spring therebetween, said helical overcenter spring,said node, and said protuberance axially aligned when said contactcarrying follower arm is in a neutral position, said helical overcenterspring releasing said stored energy when said contact follower means isdisplaced by said cam means to further pivotally displace said contactfollower means with a snap action motion into engagement with one ofsaid fixed contacts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,749,400 6/1956 Chichester200-67 2,995,043 8/1961 Lusk et al. 200-67 2,157,760 11/1964 Yeske200-67 3,271,541 9/1966 Dotto et a1. 200-38 X 3,280,276 10/ 1966 Dotto200-38 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. H. E. SPRINGBORN,Assistant Examiner.

1. A SNAP SWITCH MEANS COMPRISING: A BRACKET MEANS INCLDUING SPACEDPARALLEL LEGS; OPPOSITELY LOCATED SEATS FORMED IN SAID LEGS; A CONTACTCARRYING FOLLOWER MEANS INCLUDIN MEANS INTERFITTING WITH SAID SEATS FORPIVOTALLY RETAINING SAID CONTACT CARRYING FOLLOWER MEANS; A PLURALITY OFCONTACT CARRYING ARMS INTEGRAL WITH SAID CONTACT CARRYING FOLLOWERMEANS; AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING PROTUBERANCE AND A CAM FOLLOWER MEANSFORMED ON SAID CONTACT CARRYING FOLLOWER MEANS, SAID CAM FOLLOWER MEANSFOR RESPONDING TO CONTOURS OF A DAM MEANS SO AS TO DISPLACE SAID CONTACTCARRYING FOLLOWER MEANS; FIXED CONTACTS, ADJACENT SAID CONTACTS OF SAIDCONTACT CARRYING ARMS; AND A HELICAL OVERCENTER SPRING COMPRESSIVELYPOSITIONED BETWEEN SAID BRACKET MEANS AND SAID PROTUBERANCE OF SAIDCONTACT CARRYING FOLLOWER MEANS, SAID HELICAL OVERCENTER SPRING AND SAIDPROTUBERANCE AXIALLY ALIGNED WHEN SAID CONTACT CARRYING FOLLOWER ARM ISIN A NEUTRAL POSITION, SAID HELICAL OVERCENTER SPRING RELEASING SAIDSTORED ENERGY WHEN SAID CONTACT FOLLOWER MEANS IS DISPLACED BY SAID CAMMEANS TO FURTHER DISPLACE AND SAID CONTACT FOLLOWER MEANS WITH A SNAPACTION MOTION INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE OF SAID FIXED CONTACTS.